Method for introducing an ultraviolet light activated viral vector into the spinal column

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, methods and structures are provided for the treatment of functional spinal unit injuries through the use of light activated gene therapy to induce bone fusion through the introduction of a desired gene into a patient's spinal tissue. Methods and structures are also provided for the utilization of ultraviolet light activated gene therapy to repair / rebuild an injured intervertebral disc through the introduction of a desired gene into a patient's spinal tissue. An implant system including a light probe and an implant with which r-AAV is integrated is also provided.

Description

RERFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Application No. 60 / 353,907, filed on Jan. 31, 2002. The present application is also related to Provisional Application No. 60 / 353,842, filed on Jan. 31, 2002, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 357,271, filed on Jan. 31, 2003.GOVERNMENT INTEREST[0002]This invention was made with Government support under NIH Contract #AR45971, an RO1 grant awarded by NIAMS. The Government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to the field of gene therapy. According to the present invention, methods are provided for the treatment of functional spinal unit injuries through the use of light activated gene therapy to introduce a desired gene into a patient's tissue. An embodiment of the present invention includes methods for the utilization of light activated gene therapy to repair / rebui...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods and systems for treating a patient's spine using light activated gene therapy. The invention overcomes the problems associated with traditional UV and γ-irradiation methods by using locally administered UV light to induce target cells and facilitate the transduction of a UV activated viral vector carrying desirable genetic material. The invention has the ability to induce spinal target cells and effect bone formation resulting in fusion. The invention includes an expandable implant integrated with an ultraviolet activated viral vector and a power source for producing an ultraviolet light beam. The light beam is guided into the patient's spine through an optical coupler and a timed shutter. The invention also includes an optical connector for connecting the light delivery cable to the light probe. The technical effects of the invention include improved spinal target cell induction and bone formation resulting in fusion.

Problems solved by technology

This aging or degenerating, which is incompletely understood, generally results in decreased biomechanical shock absorption, increased range of motion and pain and / or disability.

The introduction of either the co-infection or the DNA damaging agents dramatically induces the rate limiting step of second strand synthesis, i.e. the second strand of DNA which is synthesized based on the vector inserted first strand.

However, making use of these DNA damaging agents is impractical because the administration of an adenovirus co-infection to a patient is not practical or desirable and the site specific and safety issues involved with using γ-irradiation are undesirable as well.

Unfortunately, no effective therapeutic method or apparatus was developed based on these experiments due to the long exposure times involved with using 254 nm UV radiation, the difficulties of delivering 254 nm UV radiation to a surgical target site, and the inability to position the 254 nm UV light source so as to allow effective penetration of a target cell.

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